It was in 2014. Already very inspired on social networks when he arrived in the NBA, Joel Embiid posted a screenshot of a ranking of votes for the MVP where he appeared in first place in front of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Nine years later, he went to look for this message, and he added: ” SPOKE IT INTO EXISTENCE“. which could be translated as ” My words have come true“.
Last night, the Cameroonian became the best player in the NBA, the MVP 2023, and this great clown did not hide his emotion.
“I don’t even know where to start… It took me a long time to get there. I worked a lot. I’ve been through a lot and I’m not just talking about basketball, but my whole life.” recalls the center of the Sixersstruck by the death of his little brother and serious injuries. “It feels good, considering my history, where I come from, how I got here and what it took to get here… I don’t know what to say. It’s incredible. »
An extraordinary journey
First MVP of the Sixers since 2001 and 6th “foreign” player to win this award, Joel Embiid wanted to thank his teammates because “you can’t win alone”.
“It matters more than anything…Obviously, once you find yourself in the debate, you have to win, and I always knew that you couldn’t do it alone. We need everyone. From each of them. I needed them all season, and I’m going to need them again.” he warns, while he has been in the infirmary for about ten days. “As I said before, they sacrificed a lot for me and the team. Take James (Harden). We saw what he was capable of doing last night. I’m sure he can do it every night, but he realized he had another goal and he gave a lot. Tobias (Harris), Tyrese (Maxey), PJ (Tucker)… I can go on for a long time like this with each of them, and explain everything they give. I wouldn’t have made it without them. It is a collective effort. I wish we could write “Philadelphia 76ers” on the MVP trophy. I’m so proud of them. »
Finally he thanked the critics who allowed him to move forward and progress. Like Shaquille O’Neal to whom he answered.
“Thank you ‘big fella’! I remember this discussion we had a few years ago. I believe it was 3 or 4 years ago. It was actually in Boston. We had just faced them. You were all on my back, saying that I had to dominate. Since that day, I think about it… It helped me a lot, and it helped me a lot and it changed a lot of things in my way of working. So thank you. »
| Joel Embiid | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2016-17 | PHL | 31 | 25 | 46.6 | 36.7 | 78.3 | 2.0 | 5.9 | 7.8 | 2.1 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 20.2 |
| 2017-18 | PHL | 63 | 30 | 48.3 | 30.8 | 76.9 | 2.3 | 8.7 | 11.0 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 22.9 |
| 2018-19 | PHL | 64 | 34 | 48.4 | 30.0 | 80.4 | 2.5 | 11.1 | 13.6 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 3.5 | 1.9 | 27.5 |
| 2019-20 | PHL | 51 | 30 | 47.7 | 33.1 | 80.7 | 2.8 | 8.9 | 11.6 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 1.3 | 23.0 |
| 2020-21 | PHL | 51 | 31 | 51.3 | 37.7 | 85.9 | 2.2 | 8.4 | 10.6 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 28.5 |
| 2021-22 | PHL | 68 | 34 | 49.9 | 37.1 | 81.4 | 2.2 | 9.6 | 11.7 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 30.6 |
| 2022-23 | PHL | 66 | 35 | 54.8 | 33.0 | 85.7 | 1.7 | 8.4 | 10.2 | 4.2 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 33.1 |
| Total | 394 | 32 | 50.1 | 33.7 | 81.9 | 2.2 | 8.9 | 11.2 | 3.4 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 27.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
